Down Syndrome

Olivia Perales

Down Syndrome

Olivia Perales

Causes

Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, a total of 46. But a baby with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) or one chromosome has an extra part. This extra genetic material causes problems with the way their bodies develop.

Symptoms/Characteristics

Symptoms of Down's syndrome may include:

Head is smaller than normal

Flattened nose

Large tongue

Slanted eyes

Growth retardation

Mental retardation

Shorter than average height

Treatment

There's not a specific treatment for people who have down syndrome, there's only treatments that are based on each individual's physical and intellectual needs as well as his or her personal strengths and limitations. People with Down syndrome will likely receive care from a team of health professionals, including, but not limited to, physicians, special educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers.

Like Expectancy

The life expectancy of people with Down's syndrome has doubled in 15 from 25 to 49 years of age.

important facts

- 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to a mother 35yrs. or older.

- Down syndrome occurs 1 out of every 800 live births

- Down Syndrome is named after a Doctor who first described the disease

- There are 3 types of Down Syndrome they are trisomy, mosaic, translocation.

- There are 400,000 people have Down syndrome in the U.S and 5,000 births per year.